Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 4:16–19; Isa. 62:1, 2;
Deut. 15:11; Matt. 19:16–22; Luke 19:1–10; Job 29:12–16.
Memory Text: “ ‘Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
“Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world” ’ ” (Matthew 25:34, NKJV).
The Bible speaks often of the strangers (sometimes called aliens),
the fatherless, and the widows. They may be the ones whom Jesus
referred to as “ ‘ “the least of these My brethren” ’ ” (Matt. 25:40,
NKJV).
How can we identify these people today? The strangers of Bible
times were individuals who had to leave their homeland, perhaps
because of war or famine. The equivalent in our day could be the mil-
lions of refugees who have become destitute because of circumstances
that they did not choose.
The fatherless are children who have lost fathers through war, acci-
dent, or sickness. This group also could include those whose fathers
are in prison or are otherwise absent. What a broad field of service is
exposed here.
The widows are those, who for the same reasons as the fatherless,
have lost their spouses. Many are the head of a single-parent family and
could use the help that the church can provide.
As we will see this week, because we are managers of God’s busi-
ness, helping the poor is not just an option. It is following the example
of Jesus and obeying His commands.
